Techniques: pin tract infection: practice question

A Orthopaedics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Orthopaedics · Techniques: pin tract infection

Sample item

On day 5 after application of an external fixator, a patient has mild erythema and serous drainage around one pin without systemic signs. What is the best initial management?

AIntensify pin site care and give oral antibioticsBRemove all pins immediatelyCStart intravenous vancomycin and operateDConvert to a plaster cast at once

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Intensify pin site care and give oral antibiotics

Minor pin site infections with erythema and serous discharge respond to improved pin care and a course of oral antibiotics. Pins are removed or exchanged if there is deep infection, loosening or purulence that does not settle. Removing all pins loses fracture stability.

Option by option

A. Intensify pin site care and give oral antibiotics (correct)
Correct. Local care with oral antibiotics usually settles a minor infection.
B. Remove all pins immediately
Removing all pins sacrifices fixation unnecessarily.
C. Start intravenous vancomycin and operate
Intravenous therapy and surgery are for deep infection.
D. Convert to a plaster cast at once
Conversion to cast is not required for a minor pin site infection.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this Orthopaedics question

What is the answer to this Orthopaedics question?

The best answer is A, Intensify pin site care and give oral antibiotics. Minor pin site infections with erythema and serous discharge respond to improved pin care and a course of oral antibiotics.

Why is "Remove all pins immediately" not the answer?

Removing all pins sacrifices fixation unnecessarily.

Why is "Start intravenous vancomycin and operate" not the answer?

Intravenous therapy and surgery are for deep infection.

Why is "Convert to a plaster cast at once" not the answer?

Conversion to cast is not required for a minor pin site infection.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Techniques: pin tract infection in Orthopaedics. Pins are removed or exchanged if there is deep infection, loosening or purulence that does not settle. Removing all pins loses fracture stability.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Techniques: pin tract infection?

Pair each fracture with its classic complication and nerve injured. Then use the flashcards and the other Orthopaedics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.